Papillomas and condylomata are small growths on the skin of a viral nature. You need to be able to distinguish them in order to spot potentially dangerous formations in time and take the necessary measures. The main thing that distinguishes papillomas from condyloma is the type of virus-pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
The human papilloma virus (HPV) has more than a hundred different strains. HPV enters the body through household contact or unprotected intercourse. It is possible for a child to be infected by the mother while passing through the birth canal.
The formation of growths indicates the rapid division of cells in the basal layer of the skin. This occurs under the influence of a virus whose activation is in most cases associated with a decrease in immune defenses. Depending on the strain, papillomas or condyloma appear on the body.
Characteristic features of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that does not cause discomfort other than aesthetic. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- soft homogeneous structure;
- the presence of a foot;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are localized on any part of the body except the genital mucosa. As a rule, the color of the growth varies from the natural skin tone to pinkish-red shades, however highly pigmented papillomas are also not a pathology. Hair growth on the body papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous if they do not interfere with the patient and are not accidentally injured in everyday life. The formation of growths of this type is due to the action of 2, 7 and 28 strains of the virus. You can get these types of HPV in your daily life and during sexual intercourse.
Features of genital warts
Warts are of two types - pointed and broad. The first type occurs with HPV infection, and wide growths are one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The sites of localization of genital warts are mucous membranes, mainly of the urogenital area, as well as skin folds that are subject to friction on clothing.
The structure of the genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stem, the growths feed on small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, condyloma is often inflamed, it is possible to ulcerate the growth of the body.
Genital warts are caused by 16, 18, 54 strains of the virus. These types of HPV are potentially dangerous, especially for women. There is a direct link between these types of viruses and the development of cervical cancer. Infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papillomas from genital warts?
The external difference between the growths is easily noticed in the photograph - papillomas are homogeneous, while condylomata have a fine papillary structure.
- The difference between papillomas and warts lies in the color of the growth. Papillomas can be highly pigmented, the color of the warts is usually bright and does not differ from the mucosa.
- HPV, which causes the development of papillomas, is transmitted by household contact, the use of personal hygiene products, and even handling (in the presence of skin microtraumas). Warts are only transmitted sexually.
- The nipples became inflamed. Papillomas can grow, acquire signs of inflammation and injure themselves, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
- The papilloma shape is predominantly a round or oval "head" located on a soft stem. Condyloma has irregular outlines, they can be arranged in clusters. Genital warts are characterized by a narrowing from the stem to the end, which makes it possible to distinguish them from papillomas.
- The appearance of growths of different types is a consequence of different strains of the virus.
It is important to remember the main difference between papillomas and warts - growths on the genitals and mucous membranes must be removed.
Why are growths dangerous?
Papillomas and condylomata are conventionally considered safe neoplasms of the skin, but the risk of degeneration of benign cells into malignant cells is higher in the latter case.
Condyloma is a cutaneous manifestation of the action of oncogenic types of virus. Long-term research has revealed a link between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis with further removal of genital warts helps to significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer in women.
The growths can be found not only on the skin and external genitalia, but also in the vagina and cervix. Due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the genitals, warts get enough food and can grow quickly. In gynecology, there are cases when condyloma located on the vaginal wall has grown up to 10 cm in diameter.
Indications for removal
Warts must be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is primarily due to the risk of infection of the sexual partner.
Removal of papillomas that are on the skin or not, is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of degeneration of benign papillomas into an oncological neoplasm increases when the growth body is damaged. This can be caused by rubbing clothes, accidentally damaging nails or a cloth during hygienic procedures.
You should consult a dermatologist if:
- papilloma greatly increased;
- when pressed, discomfort is felt;
- bleeding or purulent discharge is noticed;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
Clearance removal is a matter of five minutes. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that timely diagnosis will enable timely detection of the beginning of cell degeneration and stop the development of oncology.
How are clumps removed?
Any skin growth should be removed by a specialist. Self-cauterization of papillomas with the help of folk remedies is not always effective. Removal of genital warts at home is strictly forbidden.
A series of examinations must be performed before the procedure. First of all, the patient's blood is examined to determine the type of virus that caused the appearance of the neoplasm.
In case of multiple condyloma, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and adjust the immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, help fats with an immunostimulant in the composition (for example, interferon-based drugs). Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which allows you to successfully combat growths on the walls of the vagina.
Aggregation removal methods:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser burning;
- radio knife removal;
- scalpel cutting.
After removal of the genital warts, the tissues obtained as a result of the procedure are sent for histological analysis. For this purpose, surgical excision or laser removal is indicated.
Electrocoagulation is the cauterization of neoplasms. The method worked well for removing small papillomas.
Cryodestruction is used to remove neoplasms on the skin but not on the mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth, which causes cell necrosis, and as a result, the papilloma simply disappears.
Radio wave removal or a radio knife is an effective and almost painless method for removing genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, neoplasm cells are destroyed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser burning of genital warts is indicated in the presence of a large number of growths. The advantages of the method are the cauterization of the vessels and capillaries that feed the formation. As a result of exposure, no traces remain on the skin, the risk of bleeding is excluded. Complete renewal of the epidermis after removal occurs within 5-7 days.
Folk remedies are not used to remove genital warts due to the high risk of damage to the mucosa by aggressive components of the composition. Alkaline pharmaceutical preparations are also prohibited.
To understand how warts differ from papillomas, a photo will help you. It is recommended that you consult your doctor if formations appear on the genitals and do not try to remove them yourself.